Singer have unveiled an altogether more advanced take on the classic German sports
car, and the result is billed as “the most advanced air-cooled Porsche 911 in
the world.”
Called the Dynamics
and Lightweighting Study (DLS), the project stems from a partnership between
Singer Vehicle Design and Williams Advanced Engineering, the client division of
the Formula One racing team. It packs a 4.0-liter flat six with four titanium
valves per cylinder, a unique lubrication system, F1-inspired throttle, and
various magnesium internal components. The result is 500 horsepower delivered
at a screaming 9,000 rpm. That’s the same redline, output, and displacement as
a modern GT3 RS, but still air-cooled.
The bodywork has
also been comprehensively re-engineered using computational fluid dynamics
(CFD) processors and fabricated out of carbon fiber. Front axle lift is
eliminated through a new front splitter and optimized air vents, a roof channel
and spoiler direct air over the signature duck-tail rear wing, and engine
cooling is enhanced through ram-air intakes in the side windows. And the whole
thing is both lighter and stiffer than commissioning customer Scott Blattner’s
1990 964 on which it’s based.
The show car also
includes ABS and ESC from Bosch, a six-speed magnesium-cased gearbox from
Hewland, carbon-ceramic brakes from Brembo, 18-inch forged mags by BBS, Pilot
Sport Cup 2 tires by Michelin, carbon-fiber bucket seats from Recaro, and a
carbon steering wheel from Momo. And of course the interior’s been completely
refitted to Singer standards, with an exposed gear-shift linkage, drilled
carbon/titanium pedals, and a floating carbon-fiber instrument panel.
It’s an impressive
undertaking, and we’re afraid to ask how much it must have cost to build. But
it won’t be the only one on display at Goodwood where it’s just been revealed.
While one takes on the hillclimb, another will be displayed in stasis along
with six more 911s “reimagined by Singer” for clients in the UK.
